From Bach To Bachianas: Songs Without Words - Yehuda Hanani & Eliot Fisk (2014)

Ideated from: clearing out the oldest items in my inbox

I wasn’t able to find much about this record, but I’m sure it was in the inbox because I’ve followed Fisk since he played with my local symphony quite a few years ago. This album features arrangements for guitar and cello of a wide array of classical pieces.

The title comes from the first and last pieces on the record, pairing Bach from 1722 with a Bach-inspired piece by Brazilian Villa-Lobos from the 1930s. What’s in between jumps around the 19th and 20th centuries, but always emphasizes strong melodies. The cello often takes those melodies, with Fisk’s guitar acting more as accompaniment. When Fisk does move to the foreground, you can hear the kind of cool and understated mastery that I love from him.

The duo cover a wide range of styles and eras and does a nice job with all of them.

Tracks I Liked:

An Die Musik - one of the best of the Schubert songs. a beautiful flow.

Mountain Songs: I through IV - these are settings of Appalachian folk songs, originally for guitar and flute. I love the interplay between the two. These are my favorites on the record.